CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Elara
Zom lay in a heap. He’d been kicked into the cabinets. I could see the pup was breathing heavy; at least he was still alive.
I screamed as my arm was twisted behind my back. I felt the bones bend, my ligaments and tendons burning. I was no match for the man that had broken through the plywood Dez had used to fix the door. My heart thundered in my chest as the stranger panted in my ear.
“Where is your boyfriend?” he growled.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I told myself to stay calm, letting my anxiety take over was not an option.
He laughed in my ear. “Pity. I’m starving. I’ll just have to torture you until Sesi decides to show up, boyfriend or not.”
“He left me.”
“Such a shame.” He licked my cheek. His rough cat-like tongue sent shivers through me.
I tried to pull away from him, but his free hand grasped my chin. “No, no, no. You’re not getting away. His family has already taken so much from me. You will just be the beginning of my revenge against him.”
He tilted my head to the side. I couldn’t restrain my whimper as he ran his nose along the racing pulse in my neck. “How could he walk away from you?” he whispered. “You smell divine. Maybe I’ll just take a little taste now.”
Dez had said they were vampires. Tears threatened in the corner of my eyes as I felt the tiniest pinpricks on the side of my neck. Dez hadn’t been lying. The things of nightmares were real.
“Brooks Morgan get your damn hands off her!”
Brooks spun us so we were facing down the hall. Dez had rushed in through the back door. The sleeve of his coat was torn, blood sticky and dark on his arm. What had happened out there?
Brooks laughed in my ear. “Why would I do that? I’m hungry, and its past time for me to eat. But you are making me second guess myself. I’m not sure who I should eat first.”
“She’s not involved in this, Brooks. Let her go. I’m the one who left you for the vamps. Should have known they'd turn you rather than kill you.”
The creature yanked on my arm again. I screamed again in pain. Dez twitched, fighting to lunge for us, but held his position.
“Why would I let her go? She means something to you, Sesi. Or you wouldn't be so worried.”
“Let her go. She means nothing. I'm just buying Minnie’s house from her. She doesn't need caught up in this.” Dez’s words were cold as his eyes went dark.
Dez was the one behind Gold Frost Holdings? We’d spent the last few days together and he hadn’t said that it had been him purchasing the house. Heat ran over my body from the anger I felt towards him.
“Oh no. Pretty little thing isn’t going anywhere. She’s just the start of my payback for what you, your father, and your brother have done to my family.”
“We haven’t done a damn thing to you,” Dez growled. “You hired us to destroy your boat.”
“But my daughter? My wife? Your family did that all on their own!”
Dez’s eyes slipped to the gun under my sweater for the briefest of moments. There was no way he could get the gun easily.
“She's just a good time, Brooks. Nothing more. Good bait for the vamps. They always seem to like something sweet smelling, and you’re no different.”
I was furious.
“That's all I am, Dezi? A good piece of ass? And bait?” I heard my own shrill words. He didn't even flinch. Fucking bastard. I had just been a good time to him the last few days.
Brooks’ rough tongue licked my neck again. I didn’t whimper that time. If I could have burned Dez with my stare, I would have. I was going to be sick for letting myself get played by him.
“She does taste quite sweet. But, under all that, she does smell like you, Sesi.” Brooks laughed. “But there is something else I can’t quite place.”
“I have no reason to lie to you, Brooks. You hold all the cards right now. Let me help you tie her up so your food is not writhing everywhere. You can enjoy her longer that way.”
Dez took a step toward me. I kicked his thigh. I missed, hitting him in his bad knee, nearly sending him to the floor.
“You fucking bastard!” I yelled as I tried to kick him again.
Brooks yanked me a step back, hand still on my chin as he cackled.
“See,” Dez managed through clenched teeth, eyes locked on mine as he limped back a step, out of my reach. “Little bitch is too spunky for her own good. Just bite her. Let her bleed out right here.”
“Maybe I should,” Brooks purred, the hand on my chin starting to stroke its way down my body. I shivered at the touch. A tiny glimmer of pain softened Dez’s eyes.
That glimmer wasn't pain.
Shit.
Dez wanted Brooks to think I really was worthless to him so I’d have a chance.
Good job, Ellie. Good job.
I channeled my anger from Garrett’s death, my frustration from my aunt’s death, my anger from being held captive against my will, and my fear of having someone I cared about watch me possibly die in whatever form I could manage. I had one chance to get it right.
I screamed and thrashed against Brook’s hold. Dez’s eyes went wide at the freak out. Brooks just laughed.
“You bastard!” I yelled at Dez. “You slept with me to get a better deal on the house. You lying bastard!”
That thing laughed in my ear, harsh and slimy. “Just like your father, Dez. Always looking for the advantage. I think maybe I should turn her and lock you in a room together. Would be amazingly satisfying to watch her kill you.”
Razor sharp teeth dragged along my skin like the burn of a tattoo. I hissed a breath of air through my teeth, but things happened too fast. Dez lunged at my hiss. I pulled the gun, leveling it at his stomach.
“I should shoot you. The sex wasn't even that good.” I didn't even know my voice could sound that hard and cold. I tried to take a step toward Dez, testing the thing’s hold on me. “You made me think you really cared for me, saying you wanted me to stay. That I meant something to you. You’re a manipulative asshole!”
God. I hated every word I said. None of it was true.
“Ellie—”
Shit. His voice cracked. I did not mean that. I’d gone too far. No. No. No. No. Had to fix it.
“Fuck you. Don't touch me.”
I pointed the gun at the wooden floorboards as I flipped off the safety. I prayed I wouldn’t hit him as I squeezed off a round. The recoil jerked my arm back and pushed me harder against Brooks.
“Oh. I like her.” Brooks yanked me roughly against his chest by my twisted arm. “Maybe I will turn her and keep her for my own.”
Sharp fangs bit into the base of my neck, tearing through my flesh as I spun away from Brooks. Something snapped in my arm that had been twisted behind my back. The flash of pain only pissed me off. I saw my blood streaking Brooks’ face, those razor sharp canines fully bared. It was all I needed. I aimed for his heart and emptied the gun.
I expected to fall on my ass, but Dez caught me, tucking me in his arms before he carried me out of the kitchen. I started to shake as he sat me on his lap on the couch.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any of that,” I said through tears.
He hushed me and smoothed my hair. “I know.”
“Is he—”
“Yeah. You did good.”